Over the past decade, Los Angeles experienced a significant surge in apartment rent prices. The combination of high demand, limited supply, and various economic factors pushed rents to new heights. However, in recent years, the growth of apartment rents in the city has seemingly come to a halt. While this might come as a surprise to some, several factors have contributed to this. Renters in Los Angeles are still paying top dollar and historically rents are still at an all time high. While rents are still technically growing, the growth at which they are, has slowed dramatically. According to Costar Analytics rents are at $2.85 per square foot as of this month, which is up slightly from $2.83 per square foot per month at the end of last year With rising interest rates and inflationary pressures, the slowdown in rent growth has given pause for active apartment investors in LA County. While many investors are sidelined, we are seeing new construction continue to be on the rise in LA County. This may be contributing to an increase in vacancy rates across the county as new units begin to hit the market increasing overall supply. Costar Analytics also estimates that Los Angeles apartments will continue to hold flat through the remainder of the year. All of the above will only keep buyers sidelined as the disparity between seller and buyer pricing expectations continues to persist.
Peter JamesPeter James is a First Vice President at Lyon Stahl Investment Real Estate and Co-Founder of The James Group, a leading Los Angeles–based investment brokerage team specializing in the sale of multifamily properties. Since beginning his career in 2007, Peter has built a strong reputation as a trusted advisor in the Los Angeles apartment market, with deep experience across the Westside and surrounding submarkets.
Peter advises investors on the acquisition and disposition of multifamily assets throughout Los Angeles County. His approach combines detailed financial analysis, real-time market insight, and a clear understanding of investor objectives, allowing him to guide clients through both straightforward and highly complex transactions.
In addition to traditional multifamily brokerage, Peter has extensive experience structuring and executing 1031 exchanges, including transitions into single-tenant NNN properties and Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) investments nationwide. His ability to navigate tax-deferred strategies and long-term portfolio planning has helped clients preserve capital, increase cash flow, and achieve greater flexibility across market cycles.
As Co-Founder of The James Group, Peter has helped build a collaborative, high-performing team known for integrity, disciplined execution, and market expertise. He maintains strong working relationships with lenders, attorneys, and qualified intermediaries, ensuring that each transaction is coordinated efficiently and aligned with his clients’ broader financial and investment goals.
Outside of real estate, Peter enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Jessica, and their daughters, Dylan and Daphne. Whether surfing, snowboarding, or exploring the California coast and mountains, family and an active lifestyle remain central to his life. Peter is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside.
